The candidates from Ward 1 Etobicoke North each have their story of how they got into politics and what they would do if elected to city council.
It’s a hotly contested race, the first time a candidate named Ford has been absent on the ballot. There are 16 hopefuls vying for the council seat.
Dev Narang, a supply chain management consultant, believes he would be the best representative for this ward due to his experience in various leadership roles.
“I have been the past president of the Niagara Falls Innkeepers Association. I was also the past VP and director of a large condo board of 550 units in downtown Toronto,” Narang said.
Narang said that living in the community has helped him realize where improvements need to be made.
“As an actual resident of the ward, I see that this ward is not just a poorer neighborhood of Toronto, but also perhaps the most under-maintained neighborhood,” he said.
Dev Narang, one of the candidates for Etobicoke North, standing in front of his election sign. Photo credit: Twitter/Dev Narang
“I want to ensure that the ward gets the upkeep it deserves. The council needs a strong, intelligent, and analytical voice from among the diversity of the city, and I can provide that,” Narang said.
Etobicoke North is located in the northwest corner of Toronto, stretching between the Humber River and Highway 427. It’s a diverse ward with 58 per cent of the population are immigrants and 76 per cent identify as visible minorities.
Subhash Chand, an accountant and credit counsellor, has remained invested in his neighbourhood and believes supporting his community through various organized events is why he is a great candidate.
“I am heavily involved in community work. I organized blood donation drives and have donated blood more than 25 times,” Chand said.
Chand said he believes he will be the best representative for this ward because he understands the problems facing the community.
“By developing empathy and compassion, I will be listening to the people’s concerns with an open heart and mind,” he said.
Several former council candidates are running again in the upcoming election.
Christopher Noor, a patio door manufacturer, is running for city council for the fourth time. Noor said he believes his passion for politics and experience as a leader would make him ideal for the job.
“After getting introduced to politics by my mentor, I began to have a zeal for politics, then I wanted to bring all religious leaders together,” Noor said.
Christopher Noor is running for council in Ward 1 Etobicoke North, one of 16 candidates seeking the seat. Photo credit: Courtesy Christopher Noor
“I have worked on campaigns for members of the provincial parliament and members of parliament,” he said. “I know politics is universal and what’s happening here in Canada affects other countries in the world, like pollution.”
Noor has campaigned on the belief that a more decentralized government is more beneficial and can be one that shows it cares.
With election day just a few days away, candidates are making their final push for votes across the community by speaking to residents. The municipal election takes place Oct. 24.